This is a folio from a Quran. I acquired this leaf from a friend in Istanbul recently. He claimed this is from Mamluk.
Thanks to one of visitors here, Faisal Reza who convinced that this is from II-Khanid era ( 1256-1353 C.E)
I did some research and found that this is quite true. The most obvious clue that this is IIkhanid's is that it has Persian translation ( Ta'liq script). IIkhanid Dynasty was based in Northwest Iran whereas Mamluk Sultanate ( 1250-1517 CE) was based in Cairo hence there were more Persian speakers within IIkhanid territory than in Mamluk's.
Going further, the Muhaqqaq script executed in this folio is more resemblance of Yaqut Al Mu'tasimi who is active from 1242-1298 CE. He was the most popular calligrapher during that period in Persia area and it make sense that contemporary calligraphers tended to follow his style.
There are many clues that this Muhaqqaq script was based on Yaqut's style. For example the the script lines rise slightly towards the left in comparison to the style of the founder of Muhaqqaq, Ibn AL Bawwab ( died 1022CE) which is typical straight line.The loop of Lam Alif is smaller in Yaqut's and the Alif is more vertical.
Comparing to sample of Quran from IIkhanid period, I have seen many were following Yaqut's style though a few of Ibn Al Bawwab's style Qurans also originated from IIkhanid territory..
For an example a Quran dated 1308CE was written in Baghdad by Yaqut's student and a few folios auctioned in Christie's claimed to be IIkhanid's were quite similar to mine and definitely Yaqut's style.
There is one similar folio ( better quality) sold in Christie's under sale 5499 for USD1387. I have seen also the price from USD250 - USD450 per folio in Ebay.
Codicology
Thanks to one of visitors here, Faisal Reza who convinced that this is from II-Khanid era ( 1256-1353 C.E)
I did some research and found that this is quite true. The most obvious clue that this is IIkhanid's is that it has Persian translation ( Ta'liq script). IIkhanid Dynasty was based in Northwest Iran whereas Mamluk Sultanate ( 1250-1517 CE) was based in Cairo hence there were more Persian speakers within IIkhanid territory than in Mamluk's.
Going further, the Muhaqqaq script executed in this folio is more resemblance of Yaqut Al Mu'tasimi who is active from 1242-1298 CE. He was the most popular calligrapher during that period in Persia area and it make sense that contemporary calligraphers tended to follow his style.
There are many clues that this Muhaqqaq script was based on Yaqut's style. For example the the script lines rise slightly towards the left in comparison to the style of the founder of Muhaqqaq, Ibn AL Bawwab ( died 1022CE) which is typical straight line.The loop of Lam Alif is smaller in Yaqut's and the Alif is more vertical.
Comparing to sample of Quran from IIkhanid period, I have seen many were following Yaqut's style though a few of Ibn Al Bawwab's style Qurans also originated from IIkhanid territory..
For an example a Quran dated 1308CE was written in Baghdad by Yaqut's student and a few folios auctioned in Christie's claimed to be IIkhanid's were quite similar to mine and definitely Yaqut's style.
There is one similar folio ( better quality) sold in Christie's under sale 5499 for USD1387. I have seen also the price from USD250 - USD450 per folio in Ebay.
Title Page :
Content : Surah from Al Quran
Date :13-14th century ( IIkhanid's period)
Copyist : Anonymous
Patron : n/a
Origin : Iraq
Place acquired : Istanbul
Illuminations : Nil
Calligraphy : Main text in Muhaqqaq script. Translation in Ta'liq.
Number of lines :10 lines per page
Inks : Black
Punctuation: gold floral disc.
Frame : Nil but with gold roundel in margin
History of Manuscript : Acquired from a friend who has a manuscript
bazaar in Istanbul. He has a few folios from the same Quran. But I only
bought a folio from him.
Number of folios : 1 f
Support of writing : Brownish oriental paper
Gatherings : N/A
Catchwords :Nil
Dimensions : 39.0 cm x 27.0 cm
Binding : Nil
Estimated Market Price :
Purchased Price : USD
Remarks : Compare the calligraphy with my other Muhaqqaq Quran as below link..
Selam--I only wanted to say I happened upon your blog today and am so pleased to find an individual dedicated to collecting and digitizing these manuscripts. So many of these texts are tucked away in libraries where they are safe, but inaccessible to curious minds!
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure that this is not originated from Mamluk period but from Ilkhanid period which is a bit earlier than Mamluk itself.
ReplyDeleteSuch type of rossete roundel was also employed on Ilkhanid manuscript. The Mamluk normally did not use persian internlining translation underneath the main muhaqqaq text. The type of muhaqqaq script used on your qur'an has a quite gap compared to compressed and tight Muhaqqaq script used on Mamluk manuscript.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure that your Qur'an is from Ilkhanid period (mid 13th to early 14th AD based in Greater persia) not Mamluk period (13th to 16th cent AD based in Egypt) . I agree that both Ilkhanid and Mamluk manuscript have some extent of similarities which can be a case of Seljuk manuscript as well.
Dear Faizal,
DeleteThank you with your feedback. I am totally agreed with you. I have adjusted the posting to reflect the IIkhanid's. Looking forward on your other future feedbacks.